A combo of coincidences

Hi everyone,

Last summer my friend invited me to go to New York in the end of October. A few weeks later my other friend said that if I ever go there I can stay at his place.
I few days ago I got another offer to go there, also in the end of October, for this show and to meet some people in the music industry. Three in one sounded to good to deny. Then I realized my passport just expired and that I had to get some new pictures for the new one.
Last weekend when I was at the grand opening for Cime Beauty House (great place btw), I had a good conversation with Martina, who reminded me that I should send in a song for the Eurovision. I had completely forgotten about it.
I realized I didn't have any ready songs I could pull out of the sleeve and thought how great it would be if I would happen to find someone who had a song but no artist.
So today when I went take my passport pictures I happened to bump into a songwriter I met a couple of years ago.
The first thing he said when he saw me was:  "I've been thinking about you the last two days, I'm writing a song for the Eurovision but I don't have an artist". The other funny coincidence is that the songwriting session takes place in Vaasa 4 hours away by train which is where I'm going next weekend for a conference. What a great combo!

Cheers,

Jessica

A beautiful morning

Hi everone,

Had a hard time sleeping yesterday. Everytime I closed my eyes a new rime popped up in my head and I had to write it down. Now I have four barely readable song ideas on different papers next to my bed.
I'm still not sure how it was possible but after sleeping for four hours I randomly woke up at 6 am, put my jogging clothes on and off I went. I didn't even plan it, but I can't imagine a better start of the day.

Cheers,

Jessica

Good inspiration

Hi there,

I just came home from Negatives awesome gig. They really inspired me. I realized my focus has been a bit off the main priority lately. Since I've released everything myself there's a lot of extra business stuff besides actual music making.
I've been spending so many hours in front of my computer writing e-mails, doing promotion stuff, bills etc. when what I should be doing is singing and writing songs.
When I saw them on the stage it made me want to throw the laptop out the window and isolate myself in a studio with a paper and a pen. Thanks Negative!

Cheers,

Jessica Wolff

Interesting gig

A cute bear I visited before getting on the stage

Hi everyone,

I had a pretty interesting gig yesterday at the Zoo. The songs went well but it felt a bit akward.
So far the audeince has been youg people or adults. This time it happened to be 1-4 year old kids with their moms. The guy before me sang childrens songs about porridge and toys. They loved it.
When I started to sing I think they covered their ears. I guess they werent prepared for loud Rock/Pop. All I could do was smile, wave and avoid some swear words I have in the songs.
I still had a good time though. Even if there would be only one person in the audience, it doesn't matter. Any gig is a good practice.
After the gig I had been invited to go to Lohja for a "Rock me I'm famous" gig (Jyrki 69, Esko Eerikäinen & Amara Diamond). After being home with a flu for a week it sounded like a good plan.
Amara was already in Lohja so I picked up Jyrki and Esko on the way. Except for almost hitting a moose at 120km/h, the little road trip went well.
I think I've never seen so much Jägermeister in my whole life. That's one cool sponsor they've got there! However, after not drinking alocohol for quite a while I thought it was better to stick to white wine and avoid a hangover.
Amara and Jyrki were great as DJs and the audience was all over the dance floor.
They also played my new single "Want You Out Of My Head". It was the first time I heard it through proper speakers and it was interesting to see how the audience reacted. After singing it so many times I can't hear what it sounds like anymore. I'm not sure how big impact the alcohol had, but they seemed to like it and kept on dancing. After a long and good day I got home around 5am and slept like a baby.

Singing karaoke before the gig started in Lohja.

Cheers,

Jessica

Sunday thoughts

Hi everyone,

Just back from a songwriting session with the guitarist. I'm writing a song about breaking a pattern after being a slave of routines. Sometimes it seems like too many people are working hard with only the future in their minds and forget how to live in the present moment.  
There are too many unwritten rules and set patterns of what a good life is supposed to be these days. Study, study some more, work hard, get a family etc.
What amazes me with Dominican Republic for instance, is how people always seem so happy and at peace even though they have close to nothing. They live in the moment in a completely different way then here. If they want to visit a friend they go and knock on the door. Sometimes when I try to meet up with someone here I might have to plan it 2 weeks ahead.
It was quite scary to jump out of school for music, I guess it's about risking to fail to live your dream. I realized that if I'm ever going to be serious about music now it's the time to do it. At least I don't have to wonder what would have happened when I'm a 90 years old tripping down the memory lane.

Cheers,

Jessica

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

Now the music video is done and released. This is the wonderful part of being an artist. It all starts with a small idea and step by step you watch it grow and turn into something real. Together with my stunt friends Mikko Löppönen and Ville Lumioksa, we spent many evenings brainstorming until we finally got the manuscript written. It's very rare that you're vision matches the result but it this case it really did.

However, this couldn't have been done without a bunch of wonderful people who were willing to put their minds and hearts into it. Many of these people in the text below have played different roles on the film set and working for hours just because they wanted to help. Friends like this don't grow on trees!

Music and text by Christian Berglund/Therese Svensson/Johan Bejerholm

Video made by production company HMC

 (www.hmcindie.com)

Camera/Editing/Director/Effects: Mikko Löppönen

Camera: Tuomo Kujala

Producer: Ville Lumioksa

Pyro effects: Henri Kiviniemi and Antti Mannertie

Band members: Lassi Jokinen, Ari Manninen, Minttu Muranen and Jani Hölli.

Actors: Jyrki 69, Jesse Liskola, Werner Gröhn, Risto "Ride" Mikkola and Catrine Krusberg

Make up & stylist: Piia Hiltunen, Jenni Ahtiainen and Mikko Kivinen, Minttu Holopainen

Assistance & support: Jani Parkkonen, Jan-Erik Paloniemi, Esko Lindgren, Tuomas Keskinarkaus, Tuomas Lallukka, Mikko Rahikainen, Stella Harasek, Amara Doumbouya, Svenska Kulturfonden

Big thank you hugs to each and everyone of you! Last but not least I want to thank my supportive friends, family and my dear mother for the delicious food!

Cheers,

Jessica

Ps. Enjoy the video ;)

http://youtu.be/DEFByELqvfM

Great gig!

Hi everyone,

Yesterday was simply awesome. It started with a gig at Rööperifest. It was a bit of a struggle with the sound but it was a good warm up for the single release in the evening.
I was a bit nervous before the gig since it was the most important one so far, but I managed to get rid of my "brain ghosts". I came to the conclusion that in the end it's just 45 min of my life. I wasn't going to waste that on nervous energy.
Last time I was in the Carebbean I jumped off a 40 m high cliff into the water. It wasn't just because I wanted a good adrenaline rush. For a couple of years now I've thought that being on the stage is like jumping of a cliff. Either you jump or you don't and when you do you have no idea what to expect. Anything can happen and the best thing you can do is to enjoy and go with it.
So when I woke up that morning in a random tree house and saw the cliff for the first time there was no way around it. Having that thought in my head so many time I just had to do it physically. Remembering this in the backstage room gave me all I needed for a good show.
 By the time I got on the stage all "barin ghost" were gone and the feeling was awesome! The bar was full and the audience was great. Even my Kung Fu master showed up and I promised him to do a Kung Fu kick on the stage one day. I guess I have to start practicing with heels on.
Jyrki 69 (The 69 Eyes) was also there as a DJ playing rock music for a few hours and people seemed to have a good night.
After the gig the party continued for hours and I didn't get to bed until early in the morning. Now it's time to rest and sleep.

Cheers,

Jessica
http://youtu.be/KXG58txsfVw